Your eye health is an important part of your overall health and well-being. Our experts recommend that adults have an eye exam at least once a year to ensure they have good vision and that their eyes are healthy. Let's look at a few things you can expect during your eye exam.

Pre-Exam Testing

Before the eye exam begins, a tech will do some basic tests. This can include a color sensitivity test, peripheral vision test, glaucoma, and a cover test. These tests see if your eyes are working well together.

Pupillary Reactions

The eye doctor will perform a pupillary reaction test to check your pupils and their responsiveness to light. How well your pupils react to light is a big part of your vision health. During this test, the doctor will also be able to look at the surface of your eyes for any signs of problems such as dry eye, corneal scratches, or bacterial issues.

Slit Lamp Test

During this test, the eye doctor shines a vertical bar of light into your eye to magnify the eye's surface. This gives the doctor a chance to check for abnormalities in the cornea, iris, and lens. This is a necessary step in the exam to ensure your eyes are healthy.

Visual Acuity

The vision test is the part of the exam people are most familiar with. During this part of the exam, the doctor will ask you to read an eye chart of letters and numbers. This test will evaluate your ability to read and identify characters at different magnifications. According to AARP, we often call 20/20 vision “perfect,” but that measurement simply means someone is able to see an eye chart as expected from 20 feet away -- meaning it's possible to see even more sharply. If this test reveals that you have problems with your vision, you may need prescription eyeglasses.

Pupil Dilation

The end of the exam usually includes pupil dilation. When your eyes are dilated, the doctor can examine your retina and optic nerve. Drops are placed in your eye that will cause the pupils to enlarge. This allows more light in your eyes and gives the doctor a clearer view.

Taking care of your eyes isn't just a need; it's a priority! In this way, you can keep your vision healthier for longer. If you're looking to schedule a regular eye exam or prescription eyeglasses, please contact Providence Opticians today. We bring over 40 years of experience to every patient. Call us today to schedule your appointment!